Chapter Ten
Nikki carefully changed the disc in the portable player that was now silent as the door to the room she was a silent sitting sentry in glaring at the neurologist as he came in to examine the charts, and the monitors, 'You're out of your damn mind if you think I'm ever going to give up on Raina.' She thought furiously as the man sat down with a sigh, watching her through quiet dark eyes.
"I understand your family's stance on this, and I respect it but I want to reiterate again, that for every day that passes in which that the patient does not regain consciousness, the likelihood that she will decreases exponentially."
"Yeah, and I'm tellin' you all she needs is time and people like you to shut up." Nikki snapped angrily as Tommy slipped into the room and placed a restraining hand on her shoulder.
"Babe, being angry with the doctor isn't going to help Raina," he said gently though the doctor could see that there was leashed anger in the man's dark eyes, "And Nikki is right, all Raina really needs is time, you don't know what we do about her sister." He said directing his comment to the doctor, "And until my wife and her twin agree to even entertain the idea of removing that respirator you and all your companions need to drop the whole topic, are we clear?"
"And if she never regains consciousness?"
"We deal with that bridge when we get to it far as I'm concerned, Doc the builders haven't even started it." Tommy said squeezing Nikki's shoulder intentionally quieting the furious words that he knew only too well were burning his wife's lips.
"And you are completely aware that there is a very real probability that the woman that regains consciousness is going to have a very long road to recovery; this coma is very concerning, Mrs. Oliver because all the signs point to something being very wrong within the brain itself."
"Yes," Nikki snapped at the doctor, glaring darkly, "And when we get to that bridge we cross it too. The thing is, I looked at the same CAT scans, and the same MRI's you did and unless there's something I ain't seein' and you ain't tellin' me about for whatever stupid medical reason when I'm the only one other than my twin who can currently give you direction I say let her have the time she wants." She paused to wipe at her stinging eyes, "And you should consider a new line of work if this is your best bedside manner." She shoved past the doctor and out the door stalking toward the vending machines where she planned to get a fresh drink as her phone rang. "Hello?"
"Well hello to you too," the voice on the other end of the phone was a calming balm over Nikki's frayed nerves, her mother-in-law was one of her hands down favorite people and hearing from Jan at just the right minute was exactly what she needed.
"How do you do that?" Nikki asked punching the Dr. Pepper button and waited impatiently for the bottle to drop to the slot.
"Do what dear?" Jan asked innocently though Nikki could hear the smile in her voice.
"Call exactly when I need a familiar, rational voice." Nikki answered with a sigh.
"Mother's intuition dear, but tell me how bad is it really?" Jan asked her tone turning to business.
Nikki paused to gather her thoughts and found a seat overlooking more than a mere parking lot, "It's bad enough the doctor wants to pull the respirator or so he tells me. I've seen all the CAT scans and MRI's and I keep telling them to give her time, Jan." Nikki stopped as the tears began to try to flow and her voice began to break.
"You have to follow your instinct, at least where Raina's concerned." Jan answered reasonably, "You've said before your sister was a little different, though you never said how precisely. If your instinct tells you to wait then you tell the doctors to flush their heads if you need to."
Nikki laughed dryly, "I've already said that and so has Tommy. I think the doctor's bedside manner needs to go back to basic training if you ask me. I know Raina's going to be okay with time even if the doctor doesn't but he acts like I'm being selfish about it."
"Nobody said doctors had the sense to rub their hands together to make them warm either, dear." Jan said with a chuckle, "That's what nurses are for. As for you being selfish I'd be more worried if you were even entertaining this asinine idea, you've said before there was nearly nothing that could truly take her out unless she wanted it."
Nikki smiled, "It's true most nothing can really take Sis out unless she was willing for it to. I'm worried that the doctor will pull the plug though before she's ready." Nikki became quiet watching as the doctor stood close by talking or rather arguing with Destiny who had showed up, a half-finished coffee in one hand.
"I hope you break his hand then," Jan said mildly knowing that Nikki was apt to do just that in a temper because of how she felt about her sisters, "Just remember you can go to the death penalty if you kill him."
"Don't worry I don't think Tommy would let me get that far. Listen I'd better get off here before Destiny beats me to almost killing the doctor." Nikki said glaring at the doctor.
"Tell my son to call me later, after the fun," Jan said chuckling into the phone knowing that the call would be at least entertaining if nothing else later that night.
"I will and you tell the kids we love them and to behave themselves." Nikki finally said her goodbyes and hung up heading toward the group in question.
"I'm telling you my professional opinion that this is the most humane option we have even if it's not the one you want to hear from me, families have to make the hard decisions all the time when it is a brain injury like this." The doctor argued as Destiny glowered reining in her temper carefully as she saw Nikki's approach.
"And I'm telling you that if you continue to pursue this argument any farther I'm having my aunt come and talk to the directors about your attitude and I'm requesting a new doctor." Nikki said laying a hand on Destiny's arm in a silent show of keeping her sister calm.
He gave an aggrieved sigh and focused on the second twin, realizing slowly that neither of the pair were willing to give up on what he had long since considered a hopeless cause, "I've told you my assessments you're more than welcome to bring in any other specialist you like." He said stiffly turning to walk down the hall consulting the chart in his hand as he walked.
Nikki turned to Destiny, "What made you guys show up and where's Jas at?" She turned slightly to watch the doctor not sure she trusted him at all.
"Call it intuition that you were close to knocking that guy's lights out," Destiny answered scowling, "Though I say we take that huffy offer and get someone else to tell us what's really going on." She said with an annoyed sound, "He's awful eager to yank that plug and I'm awful eager to kick him in the nuts so that can't be coincidental."
"I'm already working on finding someone else 'cause I'm damn near close enough to ruining that guys day permanently. Jan keeps reminding me not to commit murder though." Nikki and Destiny walked slowly back toward Raina's room.
"She's right though, if you lose your temper too far Raina loses a big part of her shield," Destiny pointed out as they went into the room disregarding the general and posted rule of two guests in the room at the same time, "But I gotta admit it's really strange even for Raina."
Nikki nodded, "I know it's just that man is going to be grating on my last nerves if he keeps this stupid quest up."
"Babe, he's already on that last nerve, the question is what are you two going to do about it?" Tommy said wrapping an arm around Nikki's shoulders.
"We're finding a new specialist before this idiot decides to override us and try killing Raina." Nikki looked at Raina sighing, "Still nothing from Sis?" She leaned into Tommy's embrace.
"Only the same beeps and blips that are driving us all nuts too," Destiny confirmed with a sigh, "I just wish I knew what was going on in her head at least, cause it was one of those things that always made her interesting before, that mind of hers."
Nikki nodded, "I just wish she'd wake up. I'm worried every time I turn around that thing is going wild then it slows down and finally goes back to normal. It's starting to worry me."
"We all want her back," Destiny agreed knowing that their respective husbands felt the same if only for solidarity, "First then we tell this doctor to piss off and find someone who can at least grasp why we're pushing so hard to give her time, I mean we watched her bounce back from near breaking her back as kids a long time ago like it was nothing, even if it took like three weeks." Destiny pointed out.
Nikki nodded, "I know and that's what I'm sure she'll do given enough time. I think I'm going to go make a couple of more calls while I can and see if I can find another specialist. Then I'd suggest we try and grab something to eat while we can."
"It doesn't feel like much, but we need to do just that," Jason pointed out with a cautious smile, "You two have to be fighting fit to do the head cracking that she can't yet."
Everyone nodded, "Well lets go find some place to eat and I can call on the way." Nikki answered as everyone followed her back out the door.
Three hours later Nikki was settled in the uncomfortable chair in Raina's ICU room and started up her portable player again to listen to the movie disc that was in the drive until she fell asleep….
Nikki sat up with a deep gasp looking around quite certain that she had fallen asleep in the uncomfortable hospital chair listening to the blips and beeps of the machines that the doctors insisted were keeping Raina alive even though Nikki was equally certain that doctor was full of shit. All around here was the sights, smells and the feel of grass and leaves under her feet. The trees were too large to have been any native species she had ever seen and as she reeled from that her ears picked up the sound of a footstep, whisper-soft and just crinkling the ground causing her to bounce to her feet whirling around in a quick circle colliding with a body. "Hey!" she yelped stepping back into a habitual defensive stance glaring up… and up at the almost bemused face.
"My, we seem to continue to acquire new friends from this same place. If I'm guessing you must be some kin to Raina who's with my father." He stepped back a bit still smiling at the bewilderment to cross the young face.
"Excuse me! Wait back up and hold the damn phone a minute. First where am I, second who are you and last what do you mean you know where Raina is?" Nikki dropped into a protective stance eying the stranger. "Oh and what are you cause you're not a Vulcan that's for sure?"
"First, what's a phone and second, I can answer those easily enough. Third, you are in the forests that are within the borders of the elven lands called Imladris – Rivendell in the common tongue. Fourthly, I am Elladan son of Elrond and sometimes errand-boy for the tasks at hand. Fifthly, as for Miss Raina that would be my guess as they spend a fair bit of time in each other's company, though doing what I couldn't say."
Nikki glared at him, "Where the hell did you say? I'm sorry but you must be smoking something cause that place doesn't exist." She backed up a bit before suddenly grabbing him and yanking him forward hard by the wrist till he was only inches from her face, "Look tell me how to find my sister and do it quick and you can explain what you are on the way. Don't pull crap with me either otherwise you'll be part of the trees around here." Her eyes narrowed showing her annoyance to him finding everything humorous.
Elladan's impatient sound was the only indication of his annoyance as he tolerated the grip of her hand though she could feel the muscles in his arm moving he was easily triple her strength and could easily break the grip if he chose to, "I told you the truth, what purpose would a lie serve me?"
"Trust me in this crazy ass dream realm you learn to not trust anyone besides you've not answered all my questions," she paused for a moment, "Elladan. Now I want to see my sister and trust me I'll know real quick if you try something on me and trust me I can make a ruckus so loud whatever's around here will think its lunch time." She stepped back dropping his wrist watching him before a sound behind her made her jump to the side.
"I watched your sister chase my father's armsmaster around his salle because she was in a spectacularly bad mood," he answered unconcerned about the deer that she was searching for and sighed and turned her shoulder so that she could see the doe, "Just a deer, see?" he said and continued speaking, "I'm an elf, well if you really want to split hairs I'm technically not but that's a story even I get screwed up telling and best left to my father or his advisor." He pondered, "Did I miss anything besides taking an irate and wired woman into Rivendell?"
Nikki shuttered finally shrugging his arm off her shoulder, "I guess not. Now if you please let's get going before something bad does happen." She looked at him still tense and uneasy, "Just um how far is Rivendell?" She directed the question in his direction though she was still looking around her expecting King to come out any minute and laugh at her before attacking her.
"About a quarter-mile from the center of the city," he answered smiling faintly, "No harm will come to you if that is your worry, though I cannot promise I can deliver your sister she has an .. Illusive tendency especially when she doesn't want to be found." He said slowing the pace of his long stride – it was nearly two steps to one of his Nikki realized to her annoyance – this elf was tall.
She let out a small huffed sigh, "Just great like I wanted more exercise. Don't worry my sister will know I'm there I'll make sure of that." She stumbled over a root, "Great this will teach me to forgo my training exercises with Tommy and Jason." She glanced up at the elf, "Please tell me we're not walking all the way?"
"Well I didn't bring my horse for a simple five mile normally peaceful border check." Elladan replied easily as he began picking up the subtle nuances that marked the two as kin, even if he was sure that they were more and more that attitude was far too familiar. "Is that a problem?"
Nikki sighed, "I guess not considering we're already walking. Okay lead on Elf boy and try to not make me kill myself." She watched him carefully noting the scrutiny he was giving her. "See something that's of interest to you?" She finally asked unable to keep her mouth shut anymore and avoid the smile.
"Elladan," he corrected her chuckling, "There's a lot of elves where we're heading, and its not a hard path, even on foot. As for what I was finding interesting was that I was able to pick out a few similarities between you two, even if I would have said more distant kin than sisters as you say but she has mentioned having sisters on occasion."
Nikki laughed, "For now I'm calling you elf boy. I'll be nice when we're around civilized people but as for the similarities well that's a story in and of itself but short and sweet we're actually half-sisters. I'm glad she's at least mentioned us." Nikki grinned at him.
He stopped walking and frowned slightly, "Big words from a woman who hasn't even offered her name since I could go about calling you 'woman' all the time and that I am quite sure would piss you off in about three seconds flat and get my ass handed back to me if you actually are Raina's sister." He replied seriously, "And yes, she's mentioned having several, usually not often or for long but a bit at a time my father was able to pull some information out of her."
Nikki giggled, "Sorry about that. My name is Nichole Rochelle Skywalker Bradford Oliver but you can call me Nikki and only Nikki. Really you have to learn to take a joke. Look I know I was pretty snappy earlier but I'm still trying to figure out how in the hell I got here or if I'm dreaming. As for my sisters I'm surprised she mentioned the older twins considering there's bad blood. I'm just glad your father was able to get her to talk about me, my twin and our little sister. Now shall we continue our journey Elladan."
"Nikki, then." Elladan nodded, "Fair enough and while my sense of humor still works little one, it stings a bit when someone behaves as such as that about what we are. And as for your sister I've seen corpses be more open with details and entrails too."
"Again sorry it's a little farfetched to believe you even exist considering where I'm from this is all a movie." She paused contemplating the other information she was given. "What exactly has she said? I mean Raina's not usually an open person you kinda have to learn which locks to pick and which one's to leave alone so you don't get blasted."
Nikki saw immediately that like the phone the idea of a movie was foreign to him as they continued the walk he was quiet for a few minutes, "Only that she was worried about you all and that at times she missed each of you, for different reasons though I have heard her mention you by name. I'm guessing you're closer to Raina than the others? And as for getting blasted I was lucky. My father was not."
Nikki smiled, "Why am I not surprised. Raina and I are closer than the other siblings. It's always been said that amongst both sets of twins and our little sister that Raina and I are more like. I bet she mostly mentioned trying to get a hold of me so I wouldn't panic over her missing." She paused as they entered the edge of the woods and Rivendell laid before her eyes.
Elladan nodded stopping her with a hand on Nikki's shoulder so she wuoldn't trip over a small cliff and risk breaking her neck, "Careful, she's a beauty of a city but nothing to break your head over trust me." He said calmly as the conversation with his father over that very idea, "Yeah, Raina was really concerned that you of all of the others would be more worried and upset about her being missing."
Nikki stopped looking around, "Wow talk about beautiful. I tend to be the worry wart of the family so I'm told. I guess it comes from being the closest thing that Raina has to what she use to be like or so I'm told. I personally don't know what she was like before well before she is like what she is. I think to it comes from the fact that Raina helped raise me, my sister Destiny and our younger sister Autumn."
Elladan let her have a few minutes to look over the expanse of city, and smiled faintly, "She doesn't do the attachment thing well does she?" he looked from the city buildings and sighed quietly, "she about took out the main healing halls her second or third day here I think…"
Nikki nodded, "No she doesn't but as a child I was to damn stubborn for my own good and wouldn't leave her be. She took me finally under her wing teaching me about things that well our mother actually had forbidden her to knowing that as the oldest of the three of us it was important for me to know considering we didn't know if my elder twin siblings were even alive. It just made us closer than she was with the other two. Then when we were sent away I think it actually hurt her some since she was so use to having us around."
Elladan nodded and Nikki could almost see the quick mind turning those details over and eyed her carefully after a moment, "I know a few places we can look for Raina – places she often haunts and with last evening being MidSpring here, she is likely to not be easily found that we learned the hard way."
Nikki nodded, "I hope we find her soon cause I've got several questions for her and as I said I might find her just as fast if I tag her mentally that is if she's listening." She paused as her stomach gave a loud growl protesting the fact that she hadn't eaten in a while.
This brought a loud laugh from the elf's lips as he shook his head, "Now that is familiar enough as for your suggestion I'm all for it and while you do that can you walk or do we have to be statues here in the way?"
Nikki shook her head, "No I can walk. Where are we going?" Nikki followed Elladan as they made their descent into Rivendell.
"First and foremost, when in doubt I check the kitchens that woman eats more than a dwarf I'll swear to it," Elladan said easily though he had a niggling suspicion that it would be awhile before they did find the high-strung woman.
Nikki nodded hearing the elf's thoughts plainly, "That sounds about right for Raina. I swear when she's stressed even a bit or upset enough to want to blow something up she eats more than Rocky. Shall we keep going?" Nikki let her mind relax and begin to stretch out calling softly at first for her sister, 'Sis please answer, its Nikki and I'm with some strange Elf named Elladan in Rivendell.'
Raina's voice was sleepy and almost dazed as she answered Nikki, her disbelief apparent, 'You're what? With Elladan um where? Huh?'
"I'm in Rivendell with some elf named Elladan and trying first to figure out how the hell I got here and how to get you and I out of here. Where are you sis? We're heading toward I think he said kitchens wherever that is." Nikki was just glad to get an answer.
'First that 'some elf' is Elrond's son. How me and now you are here hell if I know. And the kitchens. Get a bite to eat I'm ... well I'm not going anywhere at the moment.'
Nikki sighed, 'At least come find me as soon as you can please this elf gives me the creeps some he's too damn happy most of the time.'
'That just means he got laid relax he's harmless mostly just don't piss him off. As for finding you, well like I said that might be a bit since I am not in a state to go anywhere.'
Nikki choked back the laugh, 'Okay just hurry and save me besides I've got to tell you something before I wake up from this weird ass dream.' Nikki smiled at Elladan, "No worries I've got a hold of her though I'm not telling you what we talked about so don't ask." She'd seen the curiosity in his face shrink back, "She said you were harmless though and that I should eat something so I guess I'm your guest till sis makes her appearance unless you're too busy that is?"
"I have time that I can spare to keep you company and out of too much mischief in the mean time, did she say why she wouldn't be appearing by chance?" he asked cautiously as he ushered Nikki into one of the largest kitchens she had ever seen. There weren't the appliances she was used to but there were cooks and servants everywhere taking care of the fires and pulling out breads that smelled this side of heaven and he eyed her curiously, "Take what you want and don't worry about the cost, we regularly have more than just what can be eaten in a day so it goes to those who can't afford to buy."
Nikki looked around stunned by what she was seeing and finally grabbed a small hunk of bread that was nearby, "No she never did say why but I'm not surprised considering its Raina we're talking about. Are you sure that your cooks are going to mind?" Her nose were on a smell that brought back the time that Sam had made venison stew for her. It made her mouth water and she hoped to snag whatever made that smell.
Elladan laughed, "They complained to my father at first when Raina came because she could eat more than most of the guards and for such a slip of a thing it baffled them," he paused as one of the cooks, nearly Elladan's height pointed a wooden spoon he shifted gears and Nikki could guess that he was explaining who she was and the cook nodded, relaxing and replied something gesturing toward Nikki once. "Sorry, and I've been asked to express that you're to take what you like, and some to go so that he doesn't have to worry over you making the evening meal more difficult."
Nikki nodded, "I'd like some of that stew if I could get some and trust me I won't make the evening meal more difficult I try to stay out of the way at all cost. She picked up a handful of berries and slowly chewed through one realizing that the fruit was a cherry and sweeter than any she'd ever had.
Almost before Elladan had finished the request a bowl of medium size and a spoon were placed before her causing him to continue the fluid quick speech and gave Nikki a chance to poke her sister again if she wanted to beginning several roving conversations while Nikki ate.
'Sis are you okay? You sound tired.' Nikki poked again hoping she wasn't interrupting.
'Define okay,' Raina's voice was tired as Nikki frowned to herself trying to eat, 'And I am tired, I don't actually know when I fell asleep last night or if I actually did,' Nikki could hear the confusion and almost feel it as if Raina were in the room.
'Okay would be you're alive and talking to me I guess.' Nikki paused at the cook looked at Elladan then pointed at her saying something, 'Damn now why weren't we taught to speak elvish in school cause I think I might have just got insulted.'
'Cause it wasn't necessary,' Raina replied and this time Nikki could see the smile in her voice, 'I wouldn't worry about the cooks they complain a lot but that seems to be in their nature.'
'I hope so cause he looks pissed about me for some reason. I guess I'll ask Elladan to show me around. Will you be up to company in a little bit sis?'
'At some point yeah, I will be, assuming I can ever get a few things sorted out like where a few things of mine went…' there was both amusement and an overlay of something suspiciously like mortification in the emotional tone to the words.
'Okay I'm not going to ask about that but hopefully we'll meet up somewhere soon just tag me when you're ready sis.' Nikki finished her meal watching as Elladan sat across from her. "So what was all that about with the cook earlier he looked pissed at me about something."
"Nothing to worry about he's just grumpy to have a touch of extra dishes to have cleaned before he can go home to his family but that's normal around here. Did you enjoy your chat with your sister or is she still playing hide and go seek?"
Nikki smiled tentatively, "It was a good conversation. Look if he wants to go on and go I can clean up my own dishes. I'm a mom so it doesn't bother me doing dishes."
Elladan shook his head and pointed her to where there was a stack of dishes already in progress by another elf, "Just make sure your bowl gets put in his stack over there and when you're ready I want to see what my father can make of our newest arrival, and I hope the last…."
Nikki nodded going over and putting the bowl in the pile ducking her head at the glare before returning to Elladan, "I'm ready when you are but I do have a question before we leave. How do you say thank you in your language?"
He looked vaguely surprised for a moment and then spoke the words slowly so that she could hear the subtle inflection to them, "'Hannon le,' is my thanks which is what you wish to express."
She nodded turning to catch the cook pausing to catch a breath, "Hannon le," she said slowly before turning back to Elladan to see if she'd pronounced the words correctly.
It had obviously made some amends and she was surprised to find herself presented with a small basket and a rapid direction aimed at Elladan, who explained, 'he says that in trade for yoru thoughtfulness he offers a basket to nibble from as the evening meal will not be until an hour after sunset and small bodies eat often." He said smiling and leaned closer to whisper, "I suggest we vacate and give him his kitchen before he gets grumpy again."
Nikki nodded taking the basket and nodding at the cook before following Elladan from the kitchen, "So where are we off to now?" She peeked in finding some of the berries she'd been nibbling on as well as some bread and some type of cheese and something to drink in a weird container.
"It's a flask," he explained reaching to take out the small container and opened it so she could see how, "And we are going to stop by my father's study to see if he decided to get up today or not, which actually is rather strange since my brother was in the healing wing earlier before I stumbled into you and said he hadn't been in today."
Nikki nodded taking the container from him and sniffing before putting it back in the basket, "I take it your father's not usually missing from his job like that?"
Elladan smirked faintly, "Miss his work? Hardly he can barely escape it most of the time so I'm actually rather impressed if he's stayed out of sight and off the radar for this long, I just hope its for a better reason than the violent headache he had like after the last spring festival that wasn't pleasant for anyone, healers are terrible patients."
Nikki nodded following, "So how far are we from his um study and what happens if he's not in there?" Nikki was starting to feel the tension again and wonder if this whole place was going to end up giving her a migraine before this was over.
Elladan had stopped walking and rapped his knuckles on the closed door and blinked when the door opened and revealed someone that was most definitely not his father, but one of his closest advisors who ushered them inside, "I am assuming you were looking for Lord Elrond, Elladan?" the elf asked glancing at Nikki and spoke in faintly accented common.
"Actually I was, I wanted to introduce one of Raina's siblings and see if together they might figure out why we seem to be inheriting members of one family and how to get them home again."
The elf, Nikki saw had long dark hair and what looked like tanned skin as he frowned slightly, "I haven't seen him since sometime last evening I have been more or less keeping the day to day matters handled, and letting the things that don't require an immediate answer sit until he crawls out from his hiding place, he has every bit as much right to hide as we do from time to time." Nikki could read the concern in the elf's features and body language clearly this was not normal behavior for the referenced elf.
"Okay, well if you see him before I do let him know I'm going to show Nikki to one of the gardens and see if I can unearth him before dinner at least I'm hoping he comes to dinner tonight."
"Certainly, Elladan." The elf said gesturing for them to leave so that he could continue the ever-present business of keeping a city moving.